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Spirit of the Century
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0724385091827
Label: Real World
Manufacturer: Real World
MPN: 50918
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Real World
Release Date: April 24, 2001
Studio: Real World
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Editorial Review: Long known as the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, this venerable gospel institution has seen its ranks fluctuate in recent years. Rarely, however, have the soul-stirring harmonies of the group, recording here as a quartet, benefited from such stellar support. Producer John Chelew (best known for John Hiatt's breakthrough Bring the Family) has enlisted guitarists David Lindley and John Hammond, bassist Danny Thompson, drummer Michael Jerome, and harmonica ace Charlie Musselwhite for a set that celebrates the bluesy underpinnings of gospel. The selection of material mixes the traditional spirituals the group has been performing for more than a half century ("Nobody's Fault but Mine," "Motherless Child") with soulful readings from the more contemporary songbooks of Tom Waits, the Rolling Stones, and Ben Harper. Harper's "Give a Man a Home" receives a majestic vocal from Clarence Fountain, while the album's most audacious cut pairs the lyrics to "Amazing Grace" with the melody from "House of the Rising Sun." --Don McLeese
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Gospel music even a foxhole atheist can dig
Yeah, that's right, I'm an atheist and a secular humanist. But I dig great music, period. And this is some rockin' sockin' gospel music, given a real nitty-gritty bluesy edge by the backup musicians. Their cover of Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole" is one of my all-time favorite tracks of all-time (if you watched season one of "The Wire" you'll recognize it as the theme song). No need to believe in supernatural deities, folks - just believe in the power of the music to move a funky carbon-based ... Read More
Rating: - BluesmeetGospelmeetsteelguitar....
They might have started singing over 60 years ago, and be older'n dirt but these boys can rock the house down. With the addition of some splendid steel guitar finger picking here, and some funky double bass there, it was a Grammy winner in 2001.
Rating: - Another uplifting piece of music
This was bought as a gift for a friend of mine who plays guitar and sings spirituals. He loves it and listens to it to lift his spirits!
Rating: - Fantastic album
They just have amazing voices. There are two Tom Waits songs on the album; and while i'm a big fan of Tom Waits, sometimes it's hard to hear how to sing his songs yourself. The Boys bring out their musicality in a way that's accessible for everyone - i can sing those songs in the shower now! ;) Great album!
Rating: - Blind Boys are Great!
I was not really familiar with the Blind Boys until I purchased this CD. I love their old-time blue-zy style and plan to purchase more of their music.
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